Wine
Lovers Can Expect A Great 2011 Vintage

DWI

German
wine producers are looking forward to a very good 2011 vintage which
will be available in sufficient quantity in nearly all of the growing
regions. The German Wine Institute (DWI) announced that the total
amount harvested, according to the latest estimates, is expected to be
about nine million hectolitres. Nationwide, this year's yield is
therefore around the average level of the past ten years and 30 percent
above the exceptionally low - 7.1 million hectolitres - yield of the
previous year. Only in Franken and Württemberg, where the frost in
May caused heavy losses, will the yield be similarly low as in 2010.

According
to the DWI managing director, Monika Reule, the vintage on the whole
reflects the current market developments very well. "The vintners'
cellars were quite empty after the relatively small wine harvest of
2010, and the demand could not be satisfied to the full extent in all
cases. We are confident to regain market share lost in the previous
year with the 2011 vintage as this will have a very good ratio of price
to wine quality."

This
is also indicated by the current Europe-wide harvest estimates which
anticipate a slightly below-average harvest of wine must of about 164
million hectolitres. The yield would be on the same level as last year
and about five percent below the five-year average.

"In
view of the good harvest amount and supply situation, the wine sector
expects largely stable wine prices for the 2011 vintage nationwide,"
Norbert Weber, President of the German Winegrowers' Association
(Deutscher Weinbauverband) stated.

"In
terms of quality, the 2011 vintage leaves nothing to be desired," Weber
was pleased to announce. "Thanks to the textbook autumn a large part of
the harvest has reached predicate wine level. Wine lovers will get a
lot of 2011 wine for their money and have a great choice in all quality
levels," said the President of the Winegrowers' Association.

As
regards the aroma, the young white wines already present themselves as
extremely fruity, harmonious and well balanced. Their aromas are
characterised by the full maturity of the vintage. Consumers can also
look forward to color-intensive and dense red wines. In addition, the
magnificent late summer has produced particularly good noble sweet
specialities. Many vintners are also hoping to harvest ice wine this
year.

"This
great 2011 vintage will not only attract significant national, but also
international attention," the DWI-head Monika Reule, said confidently.

Predicted
wine harvest must yield for 2011 in the German growing regions